rharriet62

Hi, Morning eating, even drinking, is hard for lots of people. Try a Protein shake and drink it slowly...don't be in a rush. And remember, you don't have to drink a lot. I still often have trouble at lunchtime but you just need a bite or two...chew VERY slowly and a LOT! On those hard days, drink your shakes. I think you should talk to your doc about this as you don't have much of a fill. Are you exercising? You will lose...I've been at this for TWO years now and am a slow loser, so I can sympathize with you. Talk to your doc and then make good choices for foods you can eat. I had to get past the idea that my head thought I needed to eat more than my band needed. That took me MONTHS to get used to. Good luck and use this board for support! Rose

Hi, I do the pyramid weight training ideas presented in BFL. I do WAY more cardio than suggested and I do cardio every day, but love the way the loading of weights and reps really helps build strength and muscle. R

Hi, Yeah..love those bikes. I at first started on a recumbent style bike at the Y while working out a few years ago. Moved up to spinning classes and then this summer bought a road bike for outdoors!!! Lots of fun to go with friends and chat away the miles...when you can breathe that much! TRY SPINNING! IT'S AWESOME!!! Rose

Hi, Count me in, too! Today I was 275.4 lbs. I am really pushing to lose the next 8 lbs, and then I'll be -100!! YAHOO! Rose

Hi, Caffeine is also listed from my surgeon's office as a "no-no" because caffeine can irritate the stomach lining in addition to the list of reasons mentioned in a previous post. Like alcohol, using caffeine may cause the irritation and thus weaken the stomach, thus causing band problems. I'm not a doctor, but that is what I learned in my classes/support groups. I drink decaf every morning (just one cup or half a cup) and when I really "party" I do have an iced tea just for a change of pace. I don't do that much, tho. I got used to it right away, and I was a big coffee/tea/Diet Pepsi drinker in my previous life!! Cheers! Rose

Hey Friends!! It's so great to hear you are losing right along. I WISH I was part of the group that "suddenly" lost 8# after a slow down. It seems that I have to FIGHT for every pound I (slowly) lose. I have to honestly just focus on the fact that I'm not gaining and am keeping it off (for once). This is far harder to lose than I imagined. On Sept. 21, I will have been banded 2 years. I work out 2 hours almost every day of the week, have a personal trainer for two of those days, drink, and am eating pretty well. OF course, some days I slip up...but it doesn't last long. I still have not hit the -100 mark. I'm right at -91 and thankfully lost about 3 lbs in the last 2 weeks (not a steady trend, by the way). I have good restriction and go for my check ups when I am supposed to...I think my body is just holding on to every pound relentlessly!!! SO, keep up the great work..it's inspiring to hear! Rose 367/276/185(?)

I'll be the first from Wyoming to post here! If you join and are from WY, drop me an email! Rose

Hi, Sometimes if I sleep wrong on it, I get an ache at my port site for a few days. I also feel it a lot because I work out a lot and do lots of abs. I think it's pretty normal, but call your doc's office if you think it seems abnormal for you. It's always better to ask than to worry!

Hi, My dietician said it was fine for me to use Brummel and Brown. THere are no trans fats and I think the taste is amazing. Another idea for you...

Hi! You have to start somewhere, and you've already done that! WAY TO GO! You are not just working on weight, but your heart, lungs, and everything benefits! Your skin will glow and you will sleep better, too. When I was at my heaviest, I was 367. I couldn't even do the elliptical for over ONE minute at the YMCA. I would rest, get on, and do that over and over. It went up fast, tho, and before long, I was on for FIVE minutes before having to rest. Now, even tho I am still very heavy (287) I work out two hours a day...I take a spinning class, kickboxing, lifting, pilates, and have personal training two hours a week. My resting heart rate is 54 and my blood pressure is about 115/74 most of the time. Lots of benefits even tho my weight is far from goal. SO, you are starting out with the right attitude!! Keep it up!!!

Dear Miss KellieBelly, I think you'd better change your name, Girl! WOW. You ROCK! What an inspiration to me...I can't wait to get down to that weight...you motivated me for yet another day of clean eating...I already did my workout! YAHOO! Rose

Hi, I am not at my goal weight yet, but I will definitely get a breast lift and whatever else I need when I get there. Just like getting this surgery, it's a personal decision you have to make for YOU! If you want to do it, find a great surgeon and get a consultation, learn as much as you can, and then decide. I have several friends who did breasts/tummy tuck after bypass surgery and they look amazing! They said it was SO liberating to get rid of the extra skin when the fat is gone! YAHOO!

Hi When I got a fill last week, the PA discussed the fact that my surgeon had just gone to a conference about banding and they discussed the high numbers of people who are developing reflux post-surgery. Yours could be a fluke, but I'd keep an eye on it and discusss it at your next appt. Just a thought! Rose

Hi, I love this thread! I started out at 367 with a BMI of 54.5. I now weigh 287, but it's been SLOW. I work out like crazy...kickboxing, spinning, pilates, AND meet a personal trainer twice a week. It's just amazing that I am not dropping the weight faster, so after my fill last week, I decided to keep a record on fitday.com. I have to goofing up somewhere! It's great to hear all your stories! Rose::biggrin1:

Hi, I was the never-ending plateau last spring for THREE months and was super discouraged. I looked at everthing...got a fill and then cleaned up my eating. I also changed up my exercise. I had been working out on my own at the YMCA and decided to join a spinning class. It is SO awesome...I love it. After a few months, I added kickboxing, pilates, coreboard, and a few months after that, got a personal trainer to kick it up for me. I have to say that I have lost inches and have gone down about 4 sizes in clothes. I haven't had a "miracle" in weight loss...only about 20 lbs since then, but my body is really changing. SO, I'd suggest you mix it up and change your exercise, etc. That will shock your body into responding. Good luck! Rose:clap2:

Hi, Do you HAVE to go see HIS trainer? Is there anyway you could go to a YMCA or Bally's or something and work up a program with a certified fitness trainer? I would THINK that ANY trainer would do. I only pay $20 an hour for a trainer at the YMCA ( I don't know what it would cost in your area) but that sure beats $400! Keep trying to find new avenues to meet this requirement because it is all worth it. After a year, I've already forgotten all the BS I had to go thru to please my insurance company!! IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!! Good luck! Rose

I am also big into exercise. You might be like me...if I have equipment in my home, I don't use it. I have to get out and go to the YMCA for a workout. Currently, I do spinning 3 times a week and kickboxing 2 times a week for an hour each. Two days a week, I lift with a trainer and one day on my own. On the sixth day, I either ride my bike/run/or go the Y and do elliptical or run on the treadmill. Not only will you feel PROUD of yourself for working out, but your heart and wind will improve dramatically!! You'll probably sleep better, too, so there are tons of advantages to working out. Lots of people like Curves, but I've never tried it. I need variety or I get sick of it. I'm a slow loser, too. I've only lost about 37 lbs since my surgery. Rose 367/296/185 banded 9-21-04

Hi, Just had to shout it out that I had (for me) a big NSV today. I have been working out about 2 hours a day and I have a trainer I work out with twice a week (just started that 3 weeks ago). I do spinning, kick boxing, yoga, and run about once a week, in addition to lifting. Today, my trainer said I was doing dips for my triceps. I was like...well, wait, I've NEVER been able to do those...I don't know how many I can even do (of course, I thought I was going to be able 1 or 2 at the MOST). Well, I shocked myself! When my sets were done, I had done 48!!!! I'm still in shock that I did it!!! YAHOO!!!! It was a HUGE accomplishment for me! Just wanted to share! Rose 367/banded at 334 on 9-21-04/297 now/185 goal banded in Greeley, CO by Dr. Johnell

Hi, I drink 3-4 quarts of Water a day...am faithful about that. I also usually eat between 60-75 g. of Protein. I am definitely wanting to get my fill next Friday. Rose

Hey Bandsters, I really need some honest feedback from anyone who has been down this road I'm traveling. I was banded in Sept. 2004. Before surgery, I lost 34 lbs by exercise and low carb eating (I was told to lose about 23 before my surgery). I lost that in about 3 months. Anyway, since then, I've only lost about 30 lbs. I have done FAR WORSE with my band than without. Of course, in the old days, I would have gained it back (probably, etc.) so I know the good effect the band has had for me. However, I got lazy from about Feb to April this year and stayed about the same weight. I was only working out about 2 days a week. Well, I kicked myself in the butt and have been working out 90 mins 4x a week, doing 50-60 mins of that cardio and the rest lifting, abs, stretching...basically what I did last summer. I even take a spinning class to really push the effort on my cardio. I'm drinking about a gallon of Water a day, no caffeine, get in about 60-70 g. of low fat Protein, and eat a lot of salad. I have choked a few times and have eaten some Cookies, etc., but I am not making that my main life. SO, I lose and gain the same 5-6 lbs over and over again!!! I am SO discouraged. It seems that the harder I'm trying, the less ground I'm gaining. Has this happened to anyone else??? Just wondering how you got over this hump. Thanks, Rose

Yes. I agree. I am scheduled for a fill next Friday. I just can't take weighing myself one day and have gained three lbs. It's driving me crazy. I know part of the angst is the agony of getting weighed next week when I go to the doc. I haven't been for about 6 weeks...and it's like I'm 12 again...being dragged to doctors because I'm fat... and the crushing shame that I wasn't successful again. The last time I had a fill, I had gained 6 lbs...my first gain since I was banded. It's the fear of failure all over again. I can't be the only one having this fear. Thanks for the great replies...a steady course ahead, right? Thanks, Rose 367... banded at 334/currently 303-307

Hi, I am hoping some of you who are ahead of me on the journey can offer some sage advice! I had my surgery a month ago and don't get my first fill for 2 more weeks. At first, I lost about a pound a day. When I went to pureed foods and then soft foods, I gained back about 6 and since lost 4 of that. For the last 12-14 days, I've not budged on the scale. I'm working out like crazy and eating just about the right amount or Protein my doc recommended. Did anyone else stall before the first fill? I've noticed I'm hungry more often and I know plateaus are normal for all weight loss, but this is really distressing me. I'm a little worried that when I go for my fill, they will be freaked out that I've not lost a bunch of weight. I've heard so many people say "the first 12-18 months is your window to lose..so don't blow it!" I feel like it's passing me by! Just checking to see if others were in this boat at some point! Thanks! Rose

Hi hopeful1! I had surgery in Greeley from Dr. J on 9-21-04. He is excellent and the hospital staff was OUTSTANDING. They did a wonderful job of managing any pain, were friendly, and it was a good experience for me. I get my first fill on 11-5 and I am feeling ready for it. Just follow all the directions they give you and you will have good luck, too, I'm sure! How exciting for you!!! Yahoo! Rose :banana

Hi Everyone! I got banded three weeks ago. I can tell I must healing internally as I am feeling hungry now at times. What I have also noticed is that I seem to be able to eat more (I'm on mushies) than I did with the liquids. Did this happen to you? I don't get my first fill until Nov. 5. Thanks! Rose

Hi! I have been home a few days now. I got banded on Tues 9/21 by Dr. Johnell in Greeley, CO. I was AMAZED at how much easier everything was than I had expected. I had never had any surgery before, and I think this went great. I'm a tad sore, but not in need of more pain meds. I stayed home all this week from work and will go back to work on Monday. SO, I'm pushing the liquids for now! Some people are in the pre-op decision stage, and all I can say is this: find out as much as you can, talk to people on sites like this and with others you may know who are banded, and go for it if you are feeling ready!!! I also tried to get in the best shape I could for 4 months while waiting for insurance, etc., and I was doing at least 30 mins of cardio, weights, and 200 abs a day to prepare...and I think my level of fitness paid off! Hospital staff was amazed at how well I did walking, etc. I was learly of having surgery, and now that I've done it, I can't believe I worried so much about it! I'd do it again in a heartbeat because now I am going to reap the rewards!!!! Good luck! Rose